World Briefing | Europe: Russia: Brawl In Parliament

By Steven Lee Myers (NYT)

Published: March 31, 2005

Vladimir V. Zhirinovsky, the nationalist leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, has brawled before in Parliament's lower house. He has attacked opponents with orange juice, spit and invective. He has peppered floor speeches with profanities. Yesterday, he went too far, even by the standards of Russian politics. Parliament censured Mr. Zhirinovsky, a deputy speaker and repeated presidential candidate, after he spit at another deputy, prompting a brawl involving at least 20 lawmakers during a debate over the results of a regional election, which he claimed had been rigged against members of his parties. His punishment: a ban on speaking at parliamentary proceedings for 30 days. Steven Lee Myers (NYT)